The Madia tribe in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra—some 175 kilometres from Nagpur—is one of the 75 particularly vulnerable tribal groups in India. They are dependent on the forests for most of their day-to-day needs including food, fodder for their livestock, timber, water, and fuelwood.
The collection of fuelwood is a major part of their yearly work. Community members including men and women have to walk long distances in deep forest areas to collect dry wood. They usually stock up on fuelwood during the summer months, which lasts for an entire year.
Though gas cylinders are available across the district, affordability is a major issue for Madia families in the region. The majority of community members live below the poverty line and are often plagued with health issues like anaemia. As a result, the Madia Tribe of Gadchiroli continues to depend on forests as a source of fuelwood.
